Home » Drug Addiction Resources » Prescription Drug Abuse: Side Effects, Withdrawal and Treatment
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Prescription drug misuse is taking medication in a different way than prescribed. In the United States, an estimated 16.3 million people misuse prescriptions in a year. Misusing prescription medicines can lead to addiction, overdose and death.
There is a misconception that because a particular drug is prescribed, it is safe; however, many prescription drugs have dangerous side effects, can be misused and cause withdrawal symptoms that require treatment.
Prescription drugs are medications that require special permission or a prescription from a qualified medical professional. They are not available over-the-counter and must be dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
There are essentially two types of prescriptions, non-controlled and controlled medications. Non-controlled medications are used for chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and mental illnesses and usually have low to no risk for dependence. They may also be used to treat infections. Controlled substances are medications that have a risk for physical or psychological dependence, leading to withdrawal when the medication is stopped. These medicines may be used, for example, to treat pain or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified controlled drugs into five different groups known as schedules. They are numbered I to V (in Roman numerals) and classify drugs based on their addiction and misuse potential.
The controlled drug schedule includes:
There are four main classes of commonly dispensed prescription drugs with the potential for misuse. These drugs can lead to withdrawal if stopped abruptly, which can be painful, uncomfortable and, in some cases, dangerous. The four classes of drugs are opioids, stimulants, central nervous system (CNS) depressants and antipsychotics.
Opioids are controlled medications given to treat moderate to severe pain after major events such as injury or surgery. Additionally, they can be used in some cases to treat coughing and diarrhea. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, causing feelings of pleasure. Opioids are typically classified as Schedule II drugs with high potential for misuse and dependence. As a result, they are some of the most commonly misused substances.
Stimulants are controlled drugs that treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a condition that causes uncontrollable deep sleep. The main effects of stimulants are increasing energy, attention and alertness. Stimulants achieve these effects by boosting levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which causes a euphoric feeling, sometimes described as a “rush.” This rush can become addictive and has a high potential for abuse, leading stimulants to be classified as Schedule II drugs.
CNS depressants are controlled drugs that treat panic disorder, anxiety and insomnia. They work by binding to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, which slows electrical activity, creating feelings of sedation and relaxation. CNS depressants are Schedule IV drugs that have some potential for misuse and dependence.
Antipsychotics are prescription drugs that treat psychosis or conditions that may affect a person’s perception of reality and can include hallucinations or delusions. They are used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and a severe form of depression known as psychotic depression. Although they are not controlled substances, individuals can experience withdrawal when stopping these medications. Examples of antipsychotic medications include Haldol, Zyprexa, Abilify and Seroquel.
Prescription drug abuse may occur in different ways. It is considered misuse or abuse if an individual takes a medicine prescribed to somebody else, more medication than what was prescribed to them or if taken differently than prescribed. For example, crushing a tablet of oxycodone and snorting it rather than swallowing the pill orally is drug abuse. Taking prescribed medicine when it is not needed at that specific time is also considered drug abuse. For instance, a person who was prescribed morphine for severe pain but then takes the medication to feel the euphoric effect even though the pain has subsided is abusing the morphine.
One interesting point is that most people don’t misuse a drug with the intention to obtain a rush or feeling of euphoria. In fact, only fewer than 1 in 10 people misuse drugs to get high. Many people develop a tolerance to certain drugs. This means that a higher dose of a medication is required to achieve the same effect. Tolerance is very common among individuals who suffer from chronic pain and require opioids to control that pain.
It is crucial to address prescription drug abuse, as it can have dangerous consequences. Abusing prescription drugs can lead to addiction, overdose and death. In the last 15 years, there has been a substantial increase in emergency room visits and overdose deaths as a result of prescription drug misuse.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs are CNS depressants, opioids and stimulants.
Prescription CNS depressants commonly abused are:
Commonly abused prescription pain medications, such as opioids and morphine derivatives, include:
Commonly abused prescription stimulants include:
The side effects a person experiences from abusing prescription drugs will vary depending on the type of drug. There are short-term and long-term effects associated with prescription drug abuse.
Short-term side effects of prescription drug abuse include:
Long-term side effects that may occur from prescription drug abuse include:
It is important to point out that for children, adolescents and young adults, the risk for long-term side effects is worse. A human’s brain is not fully developed until at least their early twenties. Abusing prescription drugs before this age can affect the developing brain structurally, which may affect how a person understands certain things like social norms. It can also lead to a higher susceptibility for addiction.
If an individual abuses a medication, they are at risk of experiencing withdrawal. Withdrawal occurs when a person abruptly stops taking a medication or greatly reduces the dose of a medicine. The symptoms experienced during withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant, difficult and dangerous. Because of this, withdrawal symptoms are best managed under the care of licensed medical professionals.
Withdrawal symptoms generally begin within one to two days after the last dose and can last for eight weeks or longer. Symptoms associated with withdrawal from these drugs include:
Symptoms may begin within 24 hours from the last dose of the drug and can last for five days. Possible withdrawal symptoms from stimulants include:
Depending on the type of opioid that is being used, symptoms can begin anywhere from 8 to 48 hours from the last dose and last between 4 to 20 days. Opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
Withdrawal symptoms for antipsychotic medications typically begin within four weeks after abrupt discontinuation. Symptoms associated with withdrawal from these drugs include:
Coping with prescription drug addiction is difficult, and withdrawal from prescription drugs should always be managed under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional to prevent dangerous effects. Orlando Recovery Center is an accredited facility that offers different levels of care to anyone struggling with prescription drug abuse.
The first step is medical detox. Detox is the gradual removal of a substance from the body. Our empathetic and expert health care professionals will guide you through this process to avoid or minimize any uncomfortable symptoms that may arise. Medications may or may not be administered depending on the severity of your individual situation. After detox is complete, a transition will be made into an addiction rehab program that best fits your individual needs. This may include inpatient treatment, in which the client lives onsite, or outpatient care, where they live at home during their treatment. Rehab treatment often involves group and individual therapy, medical care and monitoring, peer support meetings and progress reviews.
A dual diagnosis refers to someone who experiences mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously. In the United States, an estimated 17 million adults had both a mental illness and substance use disorder in 2020. Orlando Recovery Center’s dual diagnosis treatment program is equipped to treat the whole person, including their substance abuse and any co-occurring mental conditions for the greatest chance for success.
Orlando Recovery Center offers clients a full continuum of care, including medical detox, inpatient and outpatient care several levels of care in between. There are also an array of amenities, including:
Our facility is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Orlando, roughly 20 minutes from the Orlando International Airport. If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse, contact us today to speak with one of our helpful representatives who can answer your questions and get you started on the road to lifelong recovery.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.